All hail the Solar Queen

If I were to name a single person who truly caught my eye at this past August’s New York International Gift Fair, I’d say without a doubt it was a distinguished, grey-haired and white-gloved gal standing about 6 inches tall. Her name was Elizabeth. But you might know her as Her Majesty.

Designed by Chris Collicott for the always inventive and frequently eco-friendly design firm Kikkerland, the Solar Queen has arrived on American shores just in time for the holidays. And if you’re looking for a holiday gift item for someone (it wouldn’t hurt if they’re an Anglophile) who seems to have everything, look no further.

HRH is clad in the requisite pearls, white gloves, sensible shoes, and a no-frills dress (available in light blue, pink, or orange). She’s also clutching a purse that just happens to have a miniscule solar panel built into it. Place Elizabeth II in sunlight and a solar powered motor sends her into a royal waving frenzy. Well, not so much of frenzy … more of a robotic yet gentle display of wrist rotation. I recommend placing the Queen in a front window of the home where she can greet the plebeians as they come and go.